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25 things you may not know about dogs

Learn more about our furry friends and what makes them special in this slideshow.

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Updated: 11:00 PM CDT Oct 19, 2014

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25 things you may not know about dogs

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Dogs are able to drink water by using the back of their tongue to form a mini cup which brings the water into their mouth. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: MiasHigazi

3 of 26

Have you noticed a dog smelling like Fritos? This phenomenon is known as "Frito Feet" and is caused by the bacteria on a dog's paw. When dogs cool off by sweating through the pads of their feet, the combination of moisture and bacteria releases a smell similar to Fritos. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Misserion

4 of 26

The origin of the spiked dog collar dates back to ancient Greece where they were originally designed to protect dogs throats from attacks by wolves. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Melissa Dooley

5 of 26

Although they resemble dogs, hyenas are not actually dogs but instead more closely related to cats. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Steve Jurvetson

6 of 26

In order for a dog to determine which direction a smell is coming from it is necessary for their nose to be wet. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kevin Richardson

7 of 26

In ancient China, if an emperor was feeling threatened, his last line of defense would be a small Pekingese dog that he would literally keep hidden up his sleeve. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SD Dirk

8 of 26

In Russia, some stray dogs have figured out how to use the subway system to travel to the more populated areas of the country when searching for food. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Iwan Gabovitch

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Seeing eyes dogs are trained to go to the bathroom on command so that their owner will have no issues cleaning up after them. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Caoguia

10 of 26

A dogs sense of smell is roughly 100,000 times more acute than that of a humans. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Rodrigo Basaure

11 of 26

When an individual is using a service dog, the dog knows that they are on duty when their harness is on. As soon as you the owner takes the harness off, the dog will become playful. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Geleidehond

12 of 26

Dogs have a similar sleep cycle to humans in that we both experience slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM). When a dog has entered the REM stage, they can dream. If you're dog is twitching and their paws are moving while they are sleeping, it means they are in the REM stage and your pet is dreaming. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Michael Senchuk

13 of 26

One of Michael Vick's former fighting dogs went on to become a therapy dog who would comfort children in hospitals. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: extraordinarydogs.org

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When the Beatles were recording the song "A Day in the Life" Paul McCartney added an extra high-pitched whistle that was only audible to dogs. He included this for his Shetland Sheepdog to enjoy when listening to the song. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SixtiesGirl1964

15 of 26

Although hugs are generally enjoyed by humans and other primates, dogs do not enjoy them because they interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Barney Moss

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A dog is able to understand up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and even perform simple mathematical calculations. An average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old human. (source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: jvoves

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A dog has roughly 1,700 taste buds which is less than humans but more than cats. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Amy

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Dalmatian puppies are born pure white and they develop their breeds identifiable spots as they grow older. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Andrei

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Puppies are born with 28 teeth, and the average adult dog has 42 teeth. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Zepfanman

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When you see a dog curled up in a ball when sleeping, it's because of an instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their vital organs from predators. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Mojave Desert

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Have you ever wondered why dogs chase their tales? It actually is for a variety of reasons including curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct, or even because they have fleas. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lil Shepherd

22 of 26

Dogs are able to see in the dark due to a special membrane contained in the eye called tapetum lucidum. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: quiet perspective

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A dog has three eyelids, an upper lid, a lower lid, and a third lid. The third lid is called a nictitating membrane, also known as a "haw" which helps keep their eyes moist. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Jenny Ondioline

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45% of dog owners have reported letting their dogs sleep in their bed with them. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Eric

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It is just a myth that dogs can only see in black and white. It is widely believe that they primarily see in blue, green-yellow, yellow, and different shades of gray. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: matryosha

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In addition to sweating through their paw pads, dogs can also cool themselves off by panting. When a dog is panting it can take 300-400 breaths with very little effort. (Source: petfinder.com)

Dogs are able to drink water by using the back of their tongue to form a mini cup which brings the water into their mouth. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: MiasHigazi

Have you noticed a dog smelling like Fritos? This phenomenon is known as "Frito Feet" and is caused by the bacteria on a dog's paw. When dogs cool off by sweating through the pads of their feet, the combination of moisture and bacteria releases a smell similar to Fritos. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Misserion

The origin of the spiked dog collar dates back to ancient Greece where they were originally designed to protect dogs throats from attacks by wolves. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Melissa Dooley

Although they resemble dogs, hyenas are not actually dogs but instead more closely related to cats. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Steve Jurvetson

In order for a dog to determine which direction a smell is coming from it is necessary for their nose to be wet. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kevin Richardson

In ancient China, if an emperor was feeling threatened, his last line of defense would be a small Pekingese dog that he would literally keep hidden up his sleeve. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SD Dirk

In Russia, some stray dogs have figured out how to use the subway system to travel to the more populated areas of the country when searching for food. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Iwan Gabovitch

Seeing eyes dogs are trained to go to the bathroom on command so that their owner will have no issues cleaning up after them. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Caoguia

A dogs sense of smell is roughly 100,000 times more acute than that of a humans. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Rodrigo Basaure

When an individual is using a service dog, the dog knows that they are on duty when their harness is on. As soon as you the owner takes the harness off, the dog will become playful. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Geleidehond

Dogs have a similar sleep cycle to humans in that we both experience slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM). When a dog has entered the REM stage, they can dream. If you're dog is twitching and their paws are moving while they are sleeping, it means they are in the REM stage and your pet is dreaming. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Michael Senchuk

One of Michael Vick's former fighting dogs went on to become a therapy dog who would comfort children in hospitals. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: extraordinarydogs.org

When the Beatles were recording the song "A Day in the Life" Paul McCartney added an extra high-pitched whistle that was only audible to dogs. He included this for his Shetland Sheepdog to enjoy when listening to the song. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SixtiesGirl1964

Although hugs are generally enjoyed by humans and other primates, dogs do not enjoy them because they interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Barney Moss

A dog is able to understand up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and even perform simple mathematical calculations. An average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old human. (source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: jvoves

A dog has roughly 1,700 taste buds which is less than humans but more than cats. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Amy

Dalmatian puppies are born pure white and they develop their breeds identifiable spots as they grow older. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Andrei

Puppies are born with 28 teeth, and the average adult dog has 42 teeth. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Zepfanman

When you see a dog curled up in a ball when sleeping, it's because of an instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their vital organs from predators. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Mojave Desert

Have you ever wondered why dogs chase their tales? It actually is for a variety of reasons including curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct, or even because they have fleas. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lil Shepherd

Dogs are able to see in the dark due to a special membrane contained in the eye called tapetum lucidum. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: quiet perspective

A dog has three eyelids, an upper lid, a lower lid, and a third lid. The third lid is called a nictitating membrane, also known as a "haw" which helps keep their eyes moist. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Jenny Ondioline

45% of dog owners have reported letting their dogs sleep in their bed with them. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Eric

It is just a myth that dogs can only see in black and white. It is widely believe that they primarily see in blue, green-yellow, yellow, and different shades of gray. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: matryosha

In addition to sweating through their paw pads, dogs can also cool themselves off by panting. When a dog is panting it can take 300-400 breaths with very little effort. (Source: petfinder.com)

Dogs are able to drink water by using the back of their tongue to form a mini cup which brings the water into their mouth. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: MiasHigazi

Have you noticed a dog smelling like Fritos? This phenomenon is known as "Frito Feet" and is caused by the bacteria on a dog's paw. When dogs cool off by sweating through the pads of their feet, the combination of moisture and bacteria releases a smell similar to Fritos. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Misserion

The origin of the spiked dog collar dates back to ancient Greece where they were originally designed to protect dogs throats from attacks by wolves. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Melissa Dooley

Although they resemble dogs, hyenas are not actually dogs but instead more closely related to cats. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Steve Jurvetson

In order for a dog to determine which direction a smell is coming from it is necessary for their nose to be wet. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kevin Richardson

In ancient China, if an emperor was feeling threatened, his last line of defense would be a small Pekingese dog that he would literally keep hidden up his sleeve. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SD Dirk

In Russia, some stray dogs have figured out how to use the subway system to travel to the more populated areas of the country when searching for food. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Iwan Gabovitch

Seeing eyes dogs are trained to go to the bathroom on command so that their owner will have no issues cleaning up after them. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Caoguia

A dogs sense of smell is roughly 100,000 times more acute than that of a humans. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Rodrigo Basaure

When an individual is using a service dog, the dog knows that they are on duty when their harness is on. As soon as you the owner takes the harness off, the dog will become playful. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Geleidehond

Dogs have a similar sleep cycle to humans in that we both experience slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM). When a dog has entered the REM stage, they can dream. If you're dog is twitching and their paws are moving while they are sleeping, it means they are in the REM stage and your pet is dreaming. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Michael Senchuk

One of Michael Vick's former fighting dogs went on to become a therapy dog who would comfort children in hospitals. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: extraordinarydogs.org

When the Beatles were recording the song "A Day in the Life" Paul McCartney added an extra high-pitched whistle that was only audible to dogs. He included this for his Shetland Sheepdog to enjoy when listening to the song. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: SixtiesGirl1964

Although hugs are generally enjoyed by humans and other primates, dogs do not enjoy them because they interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance. (Source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Barney Moss

A dog is able to understand up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and even perform simple mathematical calculations. An average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old human. (source: barkpost.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: jvoves

A dog has roughly 1,700 taste buds which is less than humans but more than cats. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Amy

Dalmatian puppies are born pure white and they develop their breeds identifiable spots as they grow older. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Andrei

Puppies are born with 28 teeth, and the average adult dog has 42 teeth. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Zepfanman

When you see a dog curled up in a ball when sleeping, it's because of an instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their vital organs from predators. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Mojave Desert

Have you ever wondered why dogs chase their tales? It actually is for a variety of reasons including curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct, or even because they have fleas. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lil Shepherd

Dogs are able to see in the dark due to a special membrane contained in the eye called tapetum lucidum. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: quiet perspective

A dog has three eyelids, an upper lid, a lower lid, and a third lid. The third lid is called a nictitating membrane, also known as a "haw" which helps keep their eyes moist. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Jenny Ondioline

45% of dog owners have reported letting their dogs sleep in their bed with them. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Eric

It is just a myth that dogs can only see in black and white. It is widely believe that they primarily see in blue, green-yellow, yellow, and different shades of gray. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: matryosha

In addition to sweating through their paw pads, dogs can also cool themselves off by panting. When a dog is panting it can take 300-400 breaths with very little effort. (Source: petfinder.com)

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Jeremy McWilliams

25 things you may not know about dogs

Learn more about our furry friends and what makes them special in this slideshow.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 11:00 PM CDT Oct 19, 2014

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Learn more about our furry friends and what makes them special in this slideshow.